Stanley Cup conference semifinals

April 24, 2003|By Bob Foltman.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 4 Philadelphia Flyers vs. No. 1 Ottawa Senators

Season series: Tied 1-1-2.

Outlook: The Flyers have to make a major adjustment in a short period of time. Philadelphia's first-round series with Toronto was as much a street fight as a hockey series. While the Leafs were the most undisciplined team in the NHL, the Senators may be the most disciplined. Ottawa won't get caught up in a physical showdown and will burn the Flyers on the power play if Philadelphia takes bad penalties. Ottawa stumbled in its opener against the Islanders, then won four straight without getting much out of Daniel Alfredsson. The Senators are also well-rested. The Flyers need to get more out of John LeClair and Tony Amonte and continue to have goalie Roman Cechmanek play well.

Pick: Ottawa in seven.

No. 3 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. 2 New Jersey Devils

Season series: Tied 1-1-2.

Outlook: The young Lightning grew up in a hurry in the first round, losing its first two games at home before winning four straight over Washington. Now Tampa Bay goes to graduate school against the playoff-savvy Devils. New Jersey had little trouble ousting Boston, giving up just three goals in its four victories. Martin St. Louis, who scored the game-winner in triple overtime to clinch the series for the Lightning, has carried his superb regular season into the playoffs. Tampa Bay soon will need to be reckoned with, but not yet.

Pick: New Jersey in five.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

No. 7 Anaheim Mighty Ducks vs. No. 1 Dallas Stars

Season series: Dallas 3-1-1.

Outlook: Anaheim is the only unbeaten team in the playoffs. But a team on a roll like the Ducks wants to play every other day, and the Ducks have been off more than a week. Whether the time off has cooled them off remains to be seen. Dallas trailed in its series against Edmonton before winning three straight, including two in Edmonton. Mike Modano took his game to another level and goalie Marty Turco settled down after a shaky start. Dallas needs to stay disciplined against an Anaheim team that can take advantage on the power play. Dallas also has a potent power play, but the Ducks didn't give Detroit many man-advantage chances.

Pick: Dallas in six.

No. 6 Minnesota Wild vs. No. 4 Vancouver Canucks

Season series: Tied 2-2-1.

Outlook: Minnesota may be the one team no one wants to face in the playoffs. Other than Marian Gaborik, no player on the Wild scares anyone as an individual--Richard Park scoring twice on Patrick Roy?--but collectively, no team gets more out of itself than the Wild. Both teams rallied from 3-1 deficits to win their series, although Vancouver played Game 7 at home. The Canucks' line of Todd Bertuzzi, Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison started slowly but finished fast. Goalie Dan Cloutier put to rest his horrible playoff showing of last year, and the Sedin twins had a solid series against St. Louis. Minnesota used two goaltenders to beat Colorado.